Exploratory research is "the preliminary research to clarify the exact nature of the problem to be solved." It is used to ensure additional research is taken into consideration during an experiment as well as determining research priorities, collecting data and honing in on certain subjects which may be difficult to take note of without exploratory research. It can include techniques, such as:secondary research - such as reviewing available literature and/or data informal qualitative approaches, such as discussions with consumers, employees, management or competitors formal qualitative research through in-depth interviews, focus groups, projective methods, case studies or pilot studies